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Test of Metal adds two races

The Test of Metal group of events, which includes the Orecrusher and Gearjammer, is expanding by two more events next year. One event is a downhill race that will be held in conjunction with the Gearjammer on July 25.

The Test of Metal group of events, which includes the Orecrusher and Gearjammer, is expanding by two more events next year.

One event is a downhill race that will be held in conjunction with the Gearjammer on July 25. The race will take place on Half Nelson, a machine-built trail in the spirit of A-Line that is being created as part of a $50,000 grant from the province.

Also new in 2010 is Just Another Mountain Bike Race, a 40 km event that falls in between the Test of Metal and Gearjammer in terms of difficulty. Taking place on Aug. 21, the race helps to round Squamish's mountain bike calendar which includes the Orecrusher in May, the Test of Metal in June and the Gearjammer in July.

Roughly 2,000 people are expected to take part in the four events.

 

Contractor's Challenge looking for golfers

One of the best deals for golfers this season also has the best intentions, with 100 per cent of the profits going to the Canadian Cancer Society.

The Contractor's Challenge takes place on Thursday, Oct. 8 with a one o'clock start.

The cost is $400 for a foursome, which includes a round of golf at the Whistler Golf Course, free power cart rentals, a sleeve of golf balls, dinner at the clubhouse and a chance to win prizes. There will also be competitions on course like closest to the pin and longest drive.

The event is called the Contractor's Challenge after a local contractor who is currently battling cancer, but anyone is welcome to take part.

The format is Texas Scramble, where all four golfers playing from the same spot at every stroke in an attempt to post the best score. It's a good format for people that don't golf a lot but get lucky now and then, says organizer Brian Gavan.

To register a team, or as an individual looking to join a team, contact Gavan at 604-902-0421. There is room for up to 32 teams in the tournament, and in the neighbourhood of 15 teams had already committed to play.

 

Wolf Pack host Grandview in must-win

The Wolf Pack will be hosting the Grandview Steelers at home this Saturday, a matchup that can only qualify as a must-win for the team despite the fact that the season is not even a month old.

Squamish has a record of 1-5-0-1 in their first seven games for just three points and last place in their conference standings. Grandview, a top team from last year, has slipped somewhat and are coming into Squamish with a (slightly) better record of 2-2-0-2 and six points.

It's also a grudge match for the Wolf Pack, which outshot and outplayed Grandview in their first matchup on Sept. 6 but lost by a 3-1 score including two power play goals.

Despite their record the Wolf Pack are a much better team than last season, and recently battled the Richmond Sockeyes - the 2009 national champions and currently the best team in the Pacific International Junior Hockey League - to a tie in both regulation and overtime, losing in the shootout.

The game takes place at Brennan Park at 7:15 p.m. Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for youth and seniors.

 

Ski Jumpers denied again

While a group of female ski jumpers waits for their appeal to be heard by the B.C. Supreme, an appeal to the IOC didn't make any headway.

The ski jumpers sent a letter to the IOC in early September asking for clarification on exactly how their sport fails to meet the technical requirements for inclusion in the 2010 Games, but IOC president Jacques Rogge was evasive.

In a letter dated Sept. 18, Rogge repeated the IOC's position that the sport does not meet the committee's technical requirements for inclusion and that the decision was not based on gender.

"We are disappointed it does not address our specific query about the technical requirements we fail to meet," said the ski jumpers in a written statement.

In June, the ski jumpers took the Vancouver Organizing Committee (VANOC) to the B.C. Supreme Court, citing a provision of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms that forbids the use of federal money for programs or facilities that exclude on the basis of gender. The ski jumps at Whistler Olympic Park were built partially with government funds, the jumpers argued.

While the Supreme Court Justice did find their exclusion to be discriminatory, as well as confirm that VANOC is a de facto agent of government when hosting the Games and must follow the Charter, the ruling fell short of forcing VANOC to allow the female jumpers to compete. Instead, the ruling suggested that only the IOC can sanction an event as "Olympic," and the IOC is outside the boundaries of the Charter.

The ski jumpers are appealing that decision in November, and have pledged to take their case all the way to the Supreme Court of Canada to force their inclusion in 2010.

The Justice also found that men's ski jumping doesn't technically meet the IOC's criteria, as well as many of the new sports that have been added in recent years.

 

2002 hockey win is Best Olympic Moment

Canada's first gold medal in men's hockey in 50 years was picked as the No. 1 Canadian Olympic Winter Games Moment of all Time, according to a national contest held by the Royal Canadian Mint.

The 5-2 win over the U.S. team at Salt Lake City was followed in voting by the Canadian women's hockey victory, also over the U.S. and Cindy Klassen's five medals in long track speed skating in the 2006 Games.

As the winners, all three moments have been commemorated by the Mint in a series of 25-cent coins. Roughly 66 million coins will be produced, 22 million of each moment, and are available at RBC and Petro Canada locations.

 

Cruiser Ride takes to village

While most people own one bike, Whistler residents often find they need more than that - a cross-country bike for cross country, a downhill bike for downhill, a commuter bike for commuting, and maybe a dirt jump bike or pump track bike or BMX if you an afford it. A lot of people also own cruiser bikes for cycling in style and comfort on retro frames and pinner tires, new school low riders with balloon tires, fully rigid bikes or bikes with spring suspension.

Whatever you have in your garage, come out to Skiers Plaza Sunday, Sept. 27 to show it off at the third monthly Cruiser Ride of the season.

The event gets underway at 4:30 p.m. in front of the Longhorn Saloon with a show and shine, followed by a ride at 5 p.m. that will return to the Longhorn. It's just $2 to take part, which will go towards the Whistler Off-Road Cycling Association.

If you don't have a cruiser but would like to take part there are a few extra bikes available. For more information or to borrow a bike contact whistlerbikecruise@hotmail.com.

 

Locals dual at Juan de Fuca

A handful of local athletes headed to Vancouver Island last weekend to take part in the annual Juan de Fuca Duathlon, a run-bike-run event in Victoria. The distances were 2 km-10 km-2 km for youth and 5 km-20 km-5 km for adults.

Pemberton's Kai Riess raced as an adult and placed eighth overall with a time of 1:17:05. His father Garth Riess also raced, finishing 23 rd overall in 1:26:08.

Lena Martin placed third in her age category in 2:05:46.

 

Last Toonie tonight

All good things must come to an end, and the 2009 WORCA Toonie Rides were definitely a good thing. Despite the economic downturn more than enough sponsors turned out this year to host events, and while the après parties were scaled back a little the great riding weather and interesting courses made for a great season.

The final ride of the season is tonight, Sept. 24, sponsored by WORCA and The Brewhouse. Sign on is at 5:30 p.m. across the road from Squamish Lillooet Cultural Centre and the ride is a mix of trails at Lost Lake. The après is at The Brewhouse.

There is one ride left on the calendar, the fifth annual Halloween ride taking place on Oct. 29. More details will be posted on the website as they become available.

In other WORCA news, the Sept. 19 trail maintenance day was a success with a solid turnout of volunteers helping to reconnect the Shit Happens trail to Alpine Meadows. The work is now close to being complete, and will likely be finished after the final trail maintenance day this Saturday, Sept. 26.

If you can spare a few hours to help out, meet at 9 a.m. at the north end of Valley Drive in Alpine, dressed to work outside. Bring any tools you might have and some water and snacks.

Locals are also encouraged to break in the new trail, which starts where Shit Happens crosses Anal Intruder. It's a challenging ride because of the terrain, but will get easier as it gets broken in a bit more.

Everyone who takes part will get an invite to the WORCA VIP party on Oct. 8, recognizing volunteers for their contributions over the season.

As well, WORCA has received a $1,000 donation from Grant Lamont at Endorphin Recreational Enterprises, which helps to stage the B.C. Bike Race, and is responsible for the Cheakamus Challenge and Whistler Bike Guide. The money will go into the association's trail maintenance fund.